Letter: One Tauntonian's view of 'being black in white America'

The death of another, young black man, Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, at the hands of yet another white cop makes me pray even louder for Jesus Christ to return to this earth and take his children home. Racism and bigotry in the hearts of white Americans is hot, fiery, alive and doing quite well in America. Since I'm a ...

The death of another, young black man, Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, at the hands of yet another white cop makes me pray even louder for Jesus Christ to return to this earth and take his children home. Racism and bigotry in the hearts of white Americans is hot, fiery, alive and doing quite well in America. Since I’m a Baby Boomer and a member of the African-American community, I feel that I know something about being black in white America.

Black is only cool if you’re Jay-Z, Ms. B, Oprah, Michael Jordan, Tyra Banks, or any hot, black celebrity out there. But the facts are the majority of us black folks are hated and despised by a vast group of haters just because of the color of our skin. God’s word states that he made man in His image, not the white man, black man, brown, yellow or red man’s image.

Slavery was the worst institution in the history of this nation, but too many white folks still want to hold on to their narrow-minded views that they’re superior and teach that madness to their children, generation after generation, that black men are animals, drug dealers and pimps and that they can’t be trusted, they’re liars, thieves, rapists and violent thugs.

Underemployment and the unemployed in the black community can run as high as 30 to 50 percent and I hope that white America can understand why these young men constantly experience a sense of hopelessness and despair.

Black-on-black crimes are a horrible burden on the black community as a whole because major businesses don’t want to set up shop in their neighborhoods.

I earned my master’s degree in education from Bridgewater State University. I have this Gaelic sounding name and employers are so impressed with my resume, education and employment experience. But there were times when my black, bold, beautiful self showed up for these interviews and the employers’ mouth dropped and our meeting was short and not so sweet.

The city of Taunton has well over 1,600 employees and I can count on two hands the number of blacks employed in this city, and this includes Hispanics and Cape Verdeans. It is 2014, folks. when will the leaders of our municipal government diversify city departments?

Taunton and surrounding towns were slave-holding communities. I’ve lived at my family’s Shores Street home since December 1971 and there were times when my Mom and I would be outside doing yard work and white folks would be driving by the house and ask us if they could speak to the owner. Now, I stare at these people like they’re crazy, but I know that they see me as just another smart mouth n_____ when I ignore their inquiries.

Page 2 of 2 - Once I leave the confines of my home, anything could happen to me. I know, because I’ve had my fair share of beatings and DWBs (driving while black) from white police officers, and I am a black woman.